Mike Felger reacts to Cam Neely’s comments that the Bruins are preparing for both paths at the trade tradeline, and explains why it’s a big statement from Neely to admit the team is considering being ‘sellers’ this year.
The Vancouver Canucks might be the team to watch ahead of the March 7 NHL trade deadline because they have not one, but two top-six centers who have been the subject of recent trade rumors.
Veteran forwards J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson reportedly have a fractured relationship, and it doesn't seem like there's an obvious fix to the situation, based on Canucks general manager Jim Rutherford's comments to The Globe and Mail earlier this week.
I sat down with Canucks president Jim Rutherford. He had things to say about the untenable situation in which the team finds itself: Vancouver Canucks team president says there is no good solution in rift between Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller - The Globe and Mail
— Gary Mason🇺🇦 (@garymasonglobe) January 28, 2025
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It probably makes more sense for the Canucks to trade Miller and keep Pettersson. The latter is younger, just as talented offensively and signed for longer.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman wrote last week in his 32 Thoughts blog that Pettersson "communicated to the Canucks he wishes to stay."
So, where does that leave Miller? Could the Boston Bruins be involved? When asked last week on Sports on Prime Canada about potential dark horse teams in the Miller sweepstakes, Daily Faceoff's NHL insider Frank Seravalli mentioned the Bruins.
"I haven't heard a lot of people talking about the Boston Bruins, and their need for a top-end center has been well-documented," Seravalli said. "We've also heard Cam Neely, their president of hockey operations, hint at the idea that, 'Hey, we might have to rejig some things here based on the way that this season has played out.'"
"I do believe that the Boston Bruins have kept very close tabs on the Miller situation with the Vancouver Canucks. I would term them as a team lurking in the weeds right now to try and monitor those prices, and wouldn't be surprised if this continues to linger on closer to the March 7 deadline, even as much as Vancouver seems motivated and Miller seems ready to go, they're a team that could remain in the mix."
What's the latest on J.T. Miller?#NHLonPrime insider @frank_seravalli joins the show to share some insight ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/ZMFoBEc05m
— Sports on Prime Canada (@SportsOnPrimeCA) January 24, 2025
The Bruins absolutely need a top-six center. It's arguably their No. 1 need going forward. The ideal scenario for the Bruins would be Elias Lindholm filling that role after he signed a seven-year, $54.25 million contract in free agency last summer. But Lindholm has not produced at a top-six center level offensively -- 25 points in 52 games -- and he's recently played as the third-line center.
Pavel Zacha is a good player despite his scoring struggles this season, but he is not a typical top-six center. Charlie Coyle is best suited as a third-line center. The Bruins also don't have any prospects with top-six center potential.
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Miller, who has tallied 34 points (nine goals, 25 assists) in 39 games, would address a huge weakness on Boston's roster, but acquiring him could prove quite difficult.
As we outlined a few weeks ago, the Bruins don't have a lot of quality trade assets in terms of draft picks, prospects and young players. They also lack salary cap space -- less than $5 million in room right now, per PuckPedia. If there's a bidding war for Miller, it could be hard for the Bruins to win it given the state of their trade assets.
It's also fair to wonder if the Bruins should even be buyers ahead of the trade deadline. There's a real chance the B's don't make the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and even if they did qualify, it's difficult to imagine them winning a round given their lackluster performance and inconsistency through 52 games.
If the price for Miller is low, or comes down, then it would make sense for the Bruins to try to acquire him. The 31-year-old center would not be a rental because he is signed through the 2029-30 season. It makes no sense for the Bruins to give up anything of value for a rental. But if they can acquire a top-six forward with multiple years remaining on his contract, that's the kind of move general manager Don Sweeney should be pursuing.